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ARTICLE · 17 NOVEMBER 2020

Employer Alert: Statutory Sick Pay On The Horizon?

Arthur Cox
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Earlier this year, following clusters of outbreaks of COVID-19 in meat plants and nursing homes

IrelandEmployment and HR
Séamus Given
Séamus Given
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Employer Alert: Statutory Sick Pay on the Horizon?

Earlier this year, following clusters of outbreaks of COVID-19 in meat plants and nursing homes, much was made of the fact that there is no statutory entitlement to sick pay in Ireland.  However the recent launch of a public consultation process by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment could mean that statutory sick pay is on the horizon for Irish employees.

Current Position

There is no statutory entitlement to sick pay in Ireland.  An employee who is unable to work due to illness or injury will be entitled to receive State paid Illness Benefit, after six days of absence, if they have made sufficient PRSI contributions.  Illness Benefit rates are graduated according to an employee's average weekly earnings in the relevant tax year.  It was announced in Budget 2021, that the waiting period for the benefit will be reduced to three days from February 2021.

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This article contains a general summary of developments and is not a complete or definitive statement of the law. Specific legal advice should be obtained where appropriate.

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